What to consider when choosing a primary care doctor

Patients, for example, shouldn’t find it particularly difficult to get an appointment with their primary care physician. It should also not be hard to get a call returned after alerting calling the doctor’s office about an immediate concern.

“The doctor should see you within a day or so, at the very least,” says Robert Krughoff, founder and president of Checkbook.

When choosing a new doctor, it may be helpful to consult family and friends, Krughoff says. Beyond asking simply if a friend or family member likes their doctor, people should find out if the recommended physician takes a complete medical history, listens and communicates well and if they feel comfortable asking questions. In addition, potential patients should ask if doctors explains medical conditions, treatments and what to expect.

Other important considerations include whether a physician is associated with a hospital that admits patients, whether they keep electronic medical records and what health insurance they accept.

“This is the person you go to first who guides you through the health care system — really the most important provider in the health care system,” Krughoff says of primary care physicians.